“If you know how to break a vampire enthrallment, you’re on,” Saber said and holstered his Glock.
“I even know why the spell did not break when Marco vanished. It is because, Princess, in taking his energy, you assumed responsibility for what he left behind.”
A flare of panic burned my gut. “Am I infected with Marco’s dark energy?”
“No, though I will teach you how to release unwanted energy as well.”
“Can we get back on track?” Saber said. “It’s ten o’clock, and a few hundred people are missing over an hour of time.”
“It’s really ten?”
“Time flies when you’re killing bad guys. Did Jo-Jo say when the show was supposed to end?”
“Eleven, I think. Is there a program on the tables?”
As soon as I turned to look, a folded sheet of paper lifted off the nearest table and floated to me. Bemused, I plucked it out of the air.
“Eleven is right. Jo-Jo was supposed to be on at nine and again at ten thirty. But what are we going to do about the clocks and everyone’s watches?”
Saber eyed Cosmil. “How long will it take to teach Cesca to undo the enthrallment and get everyone functioning?”
“Fifteen minutes, perhaps twenty. I will change timepieces, if you like.”
“That’ll do. Let’s move. Cosmil, help me get Jo-Jo and Donita backstage. Cesca, grab the cuffs and sword, would you?”
“Nuh-uh. Allergic to silver, remember?”
Cosmil coughed. “I believe you will find your allergy is less severe if not entirely gone.”
“Is this a sucking Marco’s energy thing, too?”
Cosmil spread his hands and smiled. “You have assumed a new power, Princess.”
“I don’t want anything of Marco’s.”
“Cesca, if you can touch silver now, you can wear it. Think new options in jewelry, and deal. Cosmil, your help, please?”
New options in jewelry? Okay, that was a plus. Gold was outrageously expensive. Still, I handled the sword and handcuffs gingerly. They gave my fingers only the slightest sting. Not so much a burn as a vibration. Not like the mermaid charm. Softer.
Pandora and I followed Saber and Cosmil as they led the apparently sleepwalking Donita and Jo-Jo into a dressing room. When they were seated, I frowned at Jo-Jo.
“Is Jo-Jo hurt or enthralled?”
“Neither. He was struggling to protect the woman, so I cast a sleep spell to calm him.”
“Marco didn’t notice?” Saber asked.
“Marco saw what he chose to see.”
Saber made a hurry-up gesture. “Time’s ticking. Now what?”
“First I’ll instruct the princess in waking Donita. She had some immunity to enthrallment, and is more terrorized.”
I brushed my fingers over Donita’s shoulder.
“Good. Your instincts are good. Now send your will that she awakens with no unpleasant memories of this night.”
“And no missing time?”
“Yes. I will awaken Jo-Jo as you release the woman, but I will not be here when they are conscious again. Meet me in the hall so we may unenthrall the others.”
Between Marco and the medallion incident, I should have been a wreck. Instead, I felt strong and secure. I could do this. Hell, I’d finally flown when it counted. This should be a relative snap.
Course, I could be back in denial land, too.
Cosmil nodded when he was ready, and I put all my focus into willing my intent into Donita. Maybe a half second ticked by, then both she and Jo-Jo awoke.
I expected Jo-Jo to remember Marco, but Pandora in her house cat form landed in his lap just as he came to.
“Ooof,” Jo-Jo said, then stiffened. “Who let this cat in?”
“We did.” I grinned at his horrified expression. Bless her, Pandora did know how to make an entrance.
“What a gorgeous feline you are,” Donita crooned, and Pandora abandoned Jo-Jo for her. Saber cleared his throat. “We just wanted to say hello before you go on again.”
Jo-Jo frowned, confusion evident in his eyes. Was he remembering?
When he shrugged, I released a breath I hadn’t known I held.
“I wish you’d stay for the second show. I’d like to buy you a drink afterward. You know, for all your help.”
Saber clapped a hand on Jo-Jo’s shoulder. “Sorry, we have a long day tomorrow. But it’s been a hell of a memorable night.”
I snorted and left to find Cosmil.